Apparatus for Inserting Foldable Conduit Below Ground

This invention pertains to the art of inserting foldable conduits in subterranean locations. More particularly, the present invention pertains to the art of plowing in foldable arched conduits, particularly for drainage applications, beneath the surface of the soil.

Numerous plow devices have been developed for inserting circular, nonfolding conduits beneath the surface of the soil. Typically, these units included a rigid plow unit mounted at the lower end of a heavy support member. The plow unit was pulled through the soil lifting the soil sufficiently to form a cavity or trench immediately behind the plow. A tubular boot or feeder was mounted directly behind the plow to feed the circular tubing into the cavity. As the plow unit was pulled by a tractor or other heavy equipment of sufficient strength to force the plow through the soil, the soil loosened by the plow would fall by gravity around the circular conduit. The circular conduit was fed from a large reel which was mounted either on the tractor or on a separate vehicle into the boot or feeder. Because the reels held rigid circular, non-folded conduit, they were bulky, yet held a limited amount of conduit. Once the lead end of the tubing was anchored in the ground by the weight of the soil, additional tubing was pulled from the reel as the plow advanced. Various types of conduits have been plowed into the soil such as corrugated drainage tubing, natural gas lines, and the like. Typical prior art plows are shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,227, issued Dec. 18, 1979 to James L. Child, Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,207, issued Dec. 19, 1972 to Werner Cornelius et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 3,575,006, issued Apr. 13, 1971 to Roger R. Rugooden et al. A prior approach for eliminating bulky reels of non-foldable conduit is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,132,416, issued May 12, 1964 to James M. Hait.

The boot or feeder associated with the prior art plows are generally circular sleeves for guiding the circular tubing into the ground. The circular conduit being non-foldable, the boots or feed guides were not adapted to alter the conduit between folded and unfolded configurations. The present invention enables foldable conduits to be inserted or plowed into the soil.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for inserting underground foldable conduit which is foldable or unfoldable between a generally flattened configuration for shipping and the like and a hollow configuration for conveying fluids underground. The apparatus includes a boot or feeder which has an inlet end that is adapted to be disposed above ground and an outlet end which is adapted to be disposed below ground. The outlet end includes means for defining an interior cross section which is shaped similar to the exterior of the cross section of the conduit in its hollow configuration. The conduit is fed from the inlet end through the boot or feeder to the outlet end at which it is discharged in its hollow configuration.

A principal advantage of the present invention is that it inserts foldable conduits into subterranean locations.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it permits long, continuous lengths of conduit, on the order of a mile or more, to be plowed into the soil.

Other advantages will become apparent to those reading and understanding the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, a preferred embodiment of which is shown in the drawings. The drawings are presented only for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiment and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an apparatus for inserting a foldable conduit in the soil;

FIG. 2 is an alternate embodiment of the plow and boot or feeder arrangement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a boot or feeder in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross section of the feeder of FIG. 3 taken through section line 4--4;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the feeder of FIG. 3 taken through section line 5--5;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the feeder of FIG. 3 taken through section line 6--6;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the feeder of FIG. 3 taken through section line 7--7;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the feeder of FIG. 3 taken through section line 8--8;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the feeder of FIG. 3 taken through section line 9--9;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the feeder of FIG. 3 taken through section line 10--10; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the feeder of FIG. 3 taken through section line 11--11.

FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for plowing a foldable conduit into the ground or soil. The apparatus includes a plow A for lifting the soil to form a cavity or trench therebehind. A boot or feeder B is attached to the plow to discharge unfolded foldable conduit into the cavity behind the plow A. An off-road vehicle or tractor C advance the plow A and the attached feeder B forward through the ground. A conveying means D conveys or feeds folded conduit to the feeder B at substantially the same rate as the vehicle C advances the plow A and feeder B.

The plow A includes a plow point 10 which is configured to project into the earth and lift the soil to the cavity or trench. The plow point has a substantially flat bottom surface 12 such that the cavity has a substantially flat bottom. The plow point also has a sloping upper surface 14 to cam the soil upward. As is conventional in the art, the plow may be oscillated or vibrated as it is advanced.

The boot or feeder B has an inlet end 20 which receives the conduit in a folded or partially folded configuration from the conveying means D and an outlet end 22 which discharges the conduit in its open or unfolded configuration into the cavity formed by the plow A. The folded or flattened configuration connotes the conduit's flattened, compact shipping configuration and the unfolded or hollow configuration connotes the conduit's hollow, fluid conveying configuration. The feeder is configured to receive the tubing generally vertically and bend it sufficiently that it is discharged substantially horizontally into the cavity. Floating linkage connects the feeder B with the plow A. The floating linkage consists of a pair of pivotally connected links 24 and another similar link 26. One link of the pair of links 24 is connected to the feeder and the other is connected to the plow just above ground level. The link 26 is pivotally connected at one end to the feeder and at the other end to the plow closely adjacent its bottom surface 12. The floating linkage permits the feeder and the plow to undergo a controlled amount of independent relative movement. This absorbs forces from uneven pulling forces and vibrations exerted by the heavy vehicle C, from uneven resistance to the pulling force caused by rocks, roots, changes in soil density, and the like. Further if the plow is designed to have an oscillatory or vibratory motion, it permits the feeder B to remain relatively stationary along the flat bottom of the cavity.

The conveying means D includes a rotatable platform 30 upon which is placed a reel of the conduit in its folded configuration. Pairs of rollers 32, 34, and 36 convey the folded conduit from the reel to the inlet end of the feeder with a minimum of frictional resistance. When the leading end of the conduit is frictionally engaged in the soil, the conduit is pulled from the reel, through the conveying means, and through the feeder by the forward motion of the vehicle.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternate plow construction and an alternate embodiment of a feeder B which conforms with the alternate plow construction. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, like elements are marked with the same reference numerals as the corresponding elements of the embodiment of FIG. 1 followed by a prime ('). The plow includes a relatively flat bottom surface 12' and a sloping upper surface 14' for lifting the soil to form the flat-bottomed trench or cavity. A pair of side plates 40 are attached to the plow between the rear end of the plow and the feeder to inhibit soil crumbs from falling into the trench or cavity between the plow and the feeder. An inlet end 20' of the boot is more vertically disposed to match the more vertical rear surface of the plow. An outlet end 22' of the boot is disposed to discharge unfolded or hollow configured conduit substantially horizontally into the cavity.

FIGS. 3-11 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the feeder B in greater detail. The preferred embodiment is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with the arched or semiround conduit described and claimed in the present assignee's co-pending patent application Ser. No. 967,514, filed Dec. 7, 1978, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,245,924. It will be appreciated, however, that the preferred embodiment is readily adaptable for use with other semiround conduit, pipe, or tubing constructions and that the present invention is applicable to other designs of foldable conduit, pipe, tubing, and the like.

The conduit may have an unconnected seam in its flattened shipping configuration, which seam must be joined or sealed to form the conduit into its hollow fluid conveying configuration. If the conduit has an unconnected seam, it is contemplated that the feeder include a structure for joining the unconnected seam. The joining structure can include a pair of rollers or cam surfaces for joining a snap or zipper-like seam, heat wheel for a heat sealed seam, staple, rivet or other fastener inserting structure, or other structure which conforms the conduit to its hollow configuration.

With particular reference to FIG. 4, the conduit of the preferred embodiment has a corrugated top wall comprising first and second side walls 50 and 52 which are connected along an apex edge by a hinge 54. A flexible, perforated base 56 is connected with flanges 58 and 60 extending along the base edges of the side walls. The flanges provide a bearing surface on which the conduit rests on the bottom of the cavity. In the folded or flattened configuration, the base edges are disposed closely adjacent each other with the flexible base 56 folded inside of the side walls. In the unfolded, hollow configuration, note FIG. 11, the base edges are spread apart such that the top wall has a generally parabolic arch-shaped cross section and the flexible base is straight and taut.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, at the input end 20 is a means 70 for squeezing the conduit to its folded, flattened configuration. In its folded configuration, the conduit is more resistant to torque than in its unfolded, hollow configuration and is less apt to twist in the feeder. The squeezing means 70 includes first and second arcuate rollers 72 and 74. The arc of the rollers is configured such that the conduit in its folded, flattened configuration fits between the arcuate rollers. Another roller 76 is disposed transverse to the arcuate rollers to reduce the friction on the base of the conduit and to position the conduit accurately within the arcuate rollers.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 5 the feeder has a generally flat surface 80 for engaging the base or flanges of the substantially folded conduit. A pair of rails 82 and 84 project upward from the base engaging surface 80 to separate the base edges of the conduit. The rails help insure that the conduit remain straight in the feeder without twisting or turning sideways. Disposed opposite to and generally parallel to the base engaging surface is a means for engaging the top wall, or more specifically the side walls 50 and 52 which make up the top wall. The top wall or side walls engaging means and base engaging surface 80 define a cross section which determines the degree of unfolding of the conduit. The side wall engaging means includes generally a U-shaped sleeve 86 which conforms to the exterior cross section of the conduit in its folded or partially folded configuration. The U-shaped sleeve 86 and the base engaging surface 80 define an interior cross section which controls the degree of unfolding or hollowing of the conduit disposed therebetween. The generally U-shaped sleeve is mounted to the feeder B by a mounting bracket 88. Toward the inlet end 20, the U-shaped sleeve has a plurality of flanges 90 which flare outward.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, and further reference to FIG. 6, the cross section of the U-shaped sleeve 86 expands or becomes wider further from the inlet end. Similarly the distance between the base engaging surface 80 and the apex of the U-shaped sleeve decreases. This change in cross section forces the conduit from a less unfolded or more flattened configuration adjacent section line 5--5 to a more unfolded or hollow configuration at section line 6--6. The U-shaped sleeve has a plurality of flanges 92 which flare outward and its end away from the inlet end. A second bracket 94 supports the inward end of the U-shaped sleeve. Adjacent the inward end of the U-shaped sleeve, the rails 82 and 84 start to diverge and angle toward each other. This cams the flanges 58 and 60 at the base edges of the conduit further apart.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the base engaging surface 80 arcs from its generally vertical orientation adjacent the inlet end 20 to a generally horizontal orientation adjacent the outlet end 22. This arcing of the base engaging surface 80 bends the conduit about its hinge or apex 54 which urges the conduit toward its unfolded configuration. Disposed along the arcuate portion of base engaging surface 80, the top or side wall engaging means includes an arcuate guide means. The arcuate guide means and the base engaging surface 80 define the cross section and the degree of unfolding of the conduit. With particular reference to FIGS. 3, 7, and 8, the arcuate guide means includes a first or upper guide means 100. The first guide means 100 includes four arcuate rods 102, 104, 106 and 108. The arcuate rods generally folow the arcuate contour of the conduit base engaging surface 80 but converge towards it as they approach the outlet end 22. The converging of the rods and the base engaging surface force the top wall of the conduit toward the base and a more unfolded, hollow configuration. The rails 82 and 84 continue to diverge camming the flanges 58 and 60 further apart. The rods 102, 104, 106, and 108 are mounted on a pair of mounting brackets 110 and 112. The mounting bracket 110 has a pair of side pieces 114 and 116 which are interconnected by a pin 118. A bolt 120 and nut 122 arrangement extend through the side pieces 114 and 116 for selectively causing the side pieces to pivot about pin 118. This enables the divergence of rods 102 and 104 relative to rods 106 and 108 to be adjusted. A height adjustment means 124 enables the height of the rods relative to the base supporting surface 80 to be adjusted. The second mounting bracket 112 similarly has an adjustment means 126 for adjusting the height of the rods relative to the base engaging surface 80.

With particular reference to FIGS. 3, 9, and 10, the arcuate guide means further includes a second or lower guide means 130. The second guide means 130 is mounted to allow limited rocking movement to compensate for any uneven pulling or tugging on the conduit as it moves through the feeder. The second guide means includes a first arcuate rod 132 and a second arcuate rod 134 for engaging the side walls of the conduit. The arcuate rods 132 and 134 are connected to each other adjacent their ends by brackets 136 and 138 which limit their separation. Generally centrally along rods 132 and 134, the rods are connected to each other by a bracket 140 which is connected with the feeder for limited relative movement. A pair of connecting bars 142 and 144 are connected with bracket 140 by nut and bolt arrangements 146 and 148. The nut and bolt arrangements 146 and 148 also function to set the spacing of rods 132 and 134. The bars 142 and 144 are slidingly connected with the feeder at fittings 150 and 152 which allow limited pivotal movement. Midway along the lower guide means 130, rails 82 and 84 converge. The projection of the rails 82 and 84 above the base engaging surface 80 forces the base to flex inward which prevents the conduit from reaching its fully unfolded configuration. The rods 132 and 134 converge toward surface 80 as they approach the outlet end 22 until the rods 132 and 134 and surface 80 define the fully unfolded or hollow cross section of the tubing.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 11, the tubing is discharged from the outlet end 22, in its unfolded, hollow configuration. In many cases, the tubing will have been folded for a long duration relative to the memory of the plastic material from which the hinge 54 is constructed. This tends to bias the conduit toward its folded configuration, causing a tendency for the unfolded tubing to return to a partially folded or flattened configuration. To inhibit the tubing from returning to a partially folded configuration, a means 160 is provided for constraining the tubing to its unfolded, hollow configuration until there is sufficient loading from backfill and soil. The means 160 includes a sheet 162 which extends rearward from the outlet end 22. The sheet 22 has a relatively smooth surface on which the base 56 and flanges 58 and 60 of the conduit engage. Because the surface is smooth, the flanges 64 and 66 are easily slid apart by the pressure of the backfill. Further the smooth surface enables the sheet to slide from underneath the conduit even after the conduit has been fully surrounded with backfill. The means 160 further includes a soil shield 164 which holds the conduit in its unfolded configuration until the conduit is sufficiently displaced from the boot to receive substantial loading from the backfill. The soil shield 165 is a generally U-shaped sleeve which diverging flanges 166 at its entrance end. The soil shield is pivotally connected at 168 to the feeder to allow it to float or bounce with fluctuations in the tension on the conduit and the like.

The feeder has a leading edge 170 which is generally triangular in cross section to assist in pushing aside soil crumbs which may converge around the back of the plow. Further the boot includes a front, rear, and side walls 172, 174, 176, and 178, respectively, for inhibiting soil from entering the conduit path and to provide a surface for the various mounting brackets described above.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Alterations and modifications will occur to others upon reading and understanding the detailed description of the preferred embodiment. It is our intention to include all such alterations and modifications insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.